"There's been a weird backlash among, I presume, fairly stupid people about the fact the shows are complicated and clever, but they're both huge international hits," the 50-year-old told BAFTA Guru.

"We make no apology. Don't expect to do the ironing; sit down, pay attention and think about it. Audiences like complexity.

"They follow intricately plotted soap operas all the time. It depresses me when people say, 'It's all far too clever'."

On not having any plans to move on from the two programmes, he added: "The moment it's time to stop on a show is not an ambiguous feeling - you just suddenly think, 'I can't do it anymore; I've had enough'."

Ex-This Morning presenter Fern Britton spoke out against Doctor Who earlier this year, claiming it was "dreary".

Fern Britton = pot, kettle, black.

Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.

"There's been a weird backlash among, I presume, fairly stupid people about the fact the shows are complicated and clever, but they're both huge international hits," the 50-year-old told BAFTA Guru.

"We make no apology. Don't expect to do the ironing; sit down, pay attention and think about it. Audiences like complexity.

"They follow intricately plotted soap operas all the time. It depresses me when people say, 'It's all far too clever'."

On not having any plans to move on from the two programmes, he added: "The moment it's time to stop on a show is not an ambiguous feeling - you just suddenly think, 'I can't do it anymore; I've had enough'."

Ex-This Morning presenter Fern Britton spoke out against Doctor Who earlier this year, claiming it was "dreary".

At our house so many TV shows are the sort that we get up from and wander into the kitchen to get a cuppa or whatever.....

When Dr Who is on the only sound you will ever hear is an occassional SHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! to anyone silly enough to say anything... (usually its a "Ohhhhhh! Did you see that on the wall !! SHHHHHH!!!!!!!) Screams and leaping up in fright are always excusable!

Me and the girls suddenly begin animated discussion once its over!

In fact... I do believe its the ONLY show we all watch together where SILENCE FALLS